Relocatable Stereotactic Immobilization Apparatus

Abstract

A patient immobilization frame is provided that can be secured to a patient table in a radiation therapy facility. The frame includes fiducials integrated into the bottom panel of the frame. The frame is provided with a removable locking mechanism for locking the frame to the patient table. Each side walls of the frame defines a forward cut-out and a mid-side cut-out to accommodate larger girth patients. A panel insert is provided to close the mid-side cut-outs when the additional space is not required for the patient. The frame further includes an abdomen compression device supported by a cross bar that is movably mountable to the frame. The device includes a compression plate configured to contact the patient and a compression mechanism between the cross bar and the compression plate. A pressure transducer may be incorporated between the compression plate and the cross bar.

1 . A patient immobilization frame for a patient, comprising:
 a bottom panel configured to receive the patient positioned thereon; and   opposite side panels, spaced apart a width sufficient to receive the patient positioned therebetween, at least one of said side panels defining at least one cut-out to receive portions of a patient's anatomy of greater girth than said width between said side panels.   
     
     
         2 . The patient immobilization frame of  claim 1 , further comprising a panel insert configured to fit within said at least one cut-out to close said cut-out when a patient is positioned within the frame. 
     
     
         3 . The patient immobilization frame of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one cut-out is a mid-side cut-out disposed in a middle portion of said opposite side panels. 
     
     
         4 . The patient immobilization frame of  claim 1 , wherein each of said opposite side panels includes a forward cut-out extending from a front end of said frame at which the patient's head is located when the patient is received within said frame. 
     
     
         5 . The patient immobilization frame of  claim 4 , wherein each of said opposite side panels further include a mid-side cut-out disposed between said forward cut-out and a rear end of said frame. 
     
     
         6 . A patient immobilization frame for a patient, comprising:
 a bottom panel configured to receive the patient positioned thereon;   opposite side panels, spaced apart a width sufficient to receive the patient positioned therebetween; and   at least one fiducial incorporated into said bottom panel, said at least one fiducial having a fixed orientation relative to a coordinate system defined in said frame, and said at least one fiducial configured to be observable from outside said frame when a patient is received therein.   
     
     
         7 . A patient immobilization frame for supporting a patient on a patient table, the patient table having securement recesses at uniform spaced apart locations along each side of the table, said frame comprising:
 a bottom panel configured to receive the patient positioned thereon;   opposite side panels, spaced apart a width sufficient to receive the patient positioned therebetween; and   a locking assembly configured to lock said frame to the patient table, said locking assembly including;
 at least two plates projecting from each side of said frame, each of said plates defining an opening therethrough configured to coincide with a corresponding securement recess; 
 at least two mounting inserts sized to be received through an opening in a corresponding plate at one side of said frame and into a corresponding securement recess at one side of said frame; and 
 at least two cam inserts sized to be received through an opening in a corresponding plate at the opposite side of said frame and into a corresponding securement recess at the opposite side of said frame, each of said cam inserts defining a cam surface rotatable within the corresponding securement recess to exert a lateral force within the recess to thereby lock said mounting inserts and said cam inserts within their corresponding recesses. 
   
     
     
         8 . The patient immobilization frame of  claim 7 , wherein said locking assembly further includes:
 a pair of locking bars, each sized to span said width and each including said opening at the opposite ends thereof; and   fasteners for securing each of said locking bars to said bottom panel.   
     
     
         9 . The patient immobilization frame of  claim 8 , wherein said bottom panel defines a pair of slots extending across said width, each of said slots sized to receive a corresponding one of said pair of locking bars therein. 
     
     
         10 . An abdomen compression device for use with a patient immobilization frame having a bottom panel configured to support the patient thereon and opposite side panels spaced apart a width sufficient to receive the patient therebetween, said compression device comprising:
 a cross beam sized to span said width;   a compression plate configured to contact the patient to exert a compression force on the patient's abdomen;   a compression mechanism supported by said cross beam and configured to move said compression plate relative to said cross beam toward the patient; and   a securement mechanism configured for securing said cross beam at variable positions along the side panels of the immobilization frame.   
     
     
         11 . The abdomen compression device of  claim 10 , wherein said compression mechanism includes a scissor mechanism connected between said cross beam and said compression plate. 
     
     
         12 . The abdomen compression device of  claim 11 , wherein said scissor mechanism is connectable to said cross beam at variable positions to vary the distance between said compression plate and said cross beam. 
     
     
         13 . The abdomen compression device of  claim 10 , wherein said compression mechanism includes a threaded boss connected to said cross beam and a screw threadedly extending through said boss and attached to said compression plate. 
     
     
         14 . The abdomen compression device of  claim 10 , wherein said securement mechanism includes a pair of straps connected to said cross beam, one each extending over opposite sides of the immobilization frame, each of said straps including means for engaging the immobilization frame at its side panels. 
     
     
         15 . The abdomen compression device of  claim 14 , wherein said securement mechanism includes means for adjusting the tension in said pair of straps. 
     
     
         16 . The abdomen compression device of  claim 10 , further comprising a pressure transducer disposed between said compression plate and said cross beam. 
     
     
         17 . The abdomen compression device of  claim 10 , wherein said cross beam includes:
 a center portion supporting said compression mechanism; and   spanning portions hingedly connected to opposite ends of said center portion, said spanning portions configured to engage the side panels of the immobilization frame.